January 17th, 2013
03:04 PM ET
'Who did you say you were again?': Our fave on-screen impostersAs the story of Manti Te'o's convoluted romantic life unfolded, a lot of us were immediately reminded of "Catfish" - the 2010 documentary about a guy whose online crush wasn't who he believed her to be. That documentary has spun off into a pretty popular MTV reality show of the same name, with star of the doc, Nev Schulman, helping others assess whether their online-only romances pass muster in the real world. While the Internet's made it easier to come across someone pretending to be someone they're not, the imposter is a popular character on the big screen.
Movies featuring duplicitous subjects run the gamut from animated classics like "Aladdin" and "Mulan," in which the heroes both try on new personalities in order to accomplish their missions, to comedies like Robin Williams' "Mrs. Doubtfire," Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America," Jack Black's "School of Rock" or Drew Barrymore's "Never Been Kissed." But our three favorites listed here are of the con variety. Refresh your memories with the trailers below, and then tell us what your favorite on-screen imposters are in the comments. 1. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999) Matt Damon stars as Tom Ripley, a sociopath with a knack for impersonating people who decides to use his "talent" to his advantage while in Italy in the mid-'50s. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Rn0BpBVgA&w=560&h=315%5D 2. "Six Degrees of Separation" (1993) In one of his "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"-era roles, Will Smith plays a con artist whose cultural knowledge and charm - and, of course, supposed familial connection to Sidney Poitier - allows him access to the Upper East Side. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT5LgIByDnA&w=560&h=315%5D 3. "Catch Me If You Can" (2002) Based on the story of Frank W. Abagnale Jr., Leo DiCaprio stars as the youthful skilled forager who manages to pull off impersonating an airline pilot, lawyer and doctor. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFj3OXVL_wQ&w=560&h=315%5D
Next entry »Alec Baldwin on '30 Rock's' 'low point'
« Previous entryWhy Sarah Jessica Parker won't be in 'Lovelace'
 |
  About this blog
Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.  |
DiCaprio played a FORGER...he was not out foraging for leaves, etc. Wow and I have not even finished college and I know the difference.
dats u bozz mking fn of m–goz to call j..k?
calling Michael J. - get the idea right?
there is only 1 here and its that one...789
matt damon is a great actor and i truly am a fan of his–he's the cutest thing ever but he needs more material to get
production going.
love too matt!
gaga? hahahaha
thanks!
thanks
no money.
your call m
i feel so bad for you grey
no entrance guys
it was caught already....
For me it's a toss up between Ripley and Catch Me. I loved them both. I think, bottom line, I'd have to vote for Ripley. Well acted, well scripted and Matt Damon was incredible.
nobody is looking anymore...dats a dun deel...
do they have cheeseburgers there?
"Catch Me If You Can" great flick.
walk this way? that was a hit on sept 1.
be professional go see the movie..hand off too negative press.
matt damon look sooooo cute while madonna was heading to her event...
Really? DiCaprio played a "skilled forager?" I don't remember that. In the version I saw in the theater all scenes of foraging must have been cut. Way to go with the proofing CNN.
Peter Sellers. Enough said.
Could you, would you, with a goat?
Daniel Day Lewis played Obama in "Lincoln". That was excellent.
BIG SHOW
OUR BAND HAS A HUGE PERFORMANCE IN NY COMING UP...WE ARE SOOOOOOOOOO
HAPPY WE HAVE 554 PEOPLE COMING TOO SEE US....AND WHAT A BIG FEW DAYS AHEAD.
I'LL BRING EVERYONE'S TICKETS IN TOWN LATER....NO NEED TO READ THIS ANYMORE...THANKS!!!!
i'm done with this evil human being...
vermont anyone?
truth be known these days i would love to impersonate sophia vergaras panties bra or bicycle seat! euen if she doesnt ride a bike just knowing that i may get have that opportunity would give me hope and optimism!
I like cookies.
I loved the talented mr. ripley. I remember seeing it at the movie, and perhaps it's because I was depressed at the moment, but I remember that feeling of wanting to be someone else. However, many years later, I wouldn't trade that for the world. Good movie. I shall watch it again soon!
Leo can pretend to be whoever he wants!!! HOT
: )